Liu Shiwen has been involved in some of the most thrilling and technically brilliant matches in women’s table tennis history. Her matches are often defined by her incredible speed, relentless forehand pressure, and emotional resilience. Here are her most classic and iconic matches , categorized by their significance.

The “Redemption” Match: The 2019 World Championships Final

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Chen Meng
• Tournament: 2019 World Table Tennis Championships (Budapest)
• Score: 4-2 (9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9)
• Why it’s a classic: This is the most emotional match of her career. After years of being labeled a “World Cup champion who couldn’t win the World Championships,” she finally broke through. The match was a war of attrition, with both players playing at an incredibly high level. Liu’s movement and forehand were unstoppable in the middle games. Her tears of joy and relief after the final point are one of the most iconic images in modern table tennis.

The “Heartbreak” Match: The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Mixed Doubles Final

• Match: Liu Shiwen / Xu Xin vs. Jun Mizutani / Mima Ito (Japan)
• Tournament: 2020 Tokyo Olympics (Mixed Doubles)
• Score: 3-4 (5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 6-11)
• Why it’s a classic: This is the most dramatic and controversial match of her career. The Chinese pair was the heavy favorite. They lost the first two games, fought back brilliantly to lead 2-1, then 3-2, and had a match point in the 6th game. They lost the match 3-4. It was the first time China failed to win a table tennis gold medal at the Olympics. The match is a classic for its tension, the Japanese crowd’s energy, and the sheer shock of the result. For Liu, this loss was devastating.

The “Speed vs. Spin” Classic: The 2019 World Cup Final

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Zhu Yuling
• Tournament: 2019 ITTF World Cup (Chengdu)
• Score: 4-2 (11-4, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8)
• Why it’s a classic: This match was a perfect contrast of styles. Zhu Yuling is a slow, heavy-spin, defensive player. Liu Shiwen is a fast, aggressive, forehand-dominant player. Liu’s speed and ability to change direction broke down Zhu’s defense. It was a masterclass in how to use footwork and placement to beat a pure defender. This win gave Liu her record 5th World Cup title.

The “Comeback Queen” Match: 2015 World Championships Semifinal

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Ding Ning
• Tournament: 2015 World Table Tennis Championships (Suzhou)
• Score: 3-4 (11-9, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 4-11, 9-11)
• Why it’s a classic: In this match, Liu was up 2-0 and 3-1 in games. She was on the verge of reaching the final against her greatest rival. Ding Ning then suffered a serious ankle injury during the 5th game. She took a medical timeout. After the injury, Ding Ning’s play changed completely, and she played a more aggressive, fearless style. Liu lost the next three games. This match is famous for the “injury timeout controversy” and is a painful memory for Liu fans, as it cost her a chance at the World Championship title that year.

The “Pure Offense” Masterclass: 2013 World Tour Grand Finals Final

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Ding Ning
• Tournament: 2013 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals (Dubai)
• Score: 4-2 (11-7, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5)
• Why it’s a classic: This is a perfect example of peak Liu Shiwen. It was a high-speed, high-quality rally match between two of the best in the world. Liu’s forehand was firing on all cylinders. She was moving Ding Ning left and right with incredible consistency. This match was a showcase of why she was the World No. 1 at the time and why she is considered one of the best offensive players ever.

The “Speed vs. Power” Match: 2018 Swedish Open Final

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Mima Ito (Japan)
• Tournament: 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open (Stockholm)
• Score: 3-4 (11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-13, 8-11)
• Why it’s a classic: This match is a classic because it shows the vulnerability of Liu’s style. Mima Ito, the Japanese prodigy, used her “short pips” rubber and incredible backhand speed to completely disrupt Liu’s rhythm. Liu was winning easily (2-0, 11-3, 11-3) and then lost the match. It was a shocking defeat that exposed the “speed vs. consistency” weakness in Liu’s game. It’s a crucial match for understanding why she struggled against certain attacking players.

Honorable Mention: The “Veteran’s Last Stand” (2023)

• Match: Liu Shiwen vs. Qian Tianyi (China)
• Tournament: 2023 China Ping Pong National Championships (Yangzhou)
• Score: 4-3 (in a mixed team event)
• Why it’s a classic: At age 32, after a long injury layoff and a year away from top competition, Liu Shiwen came back to beat the younger, higher-ranked Qian Tianyi (World No. 9). It was a reminder of her incredible talent and resilience. It wasn’t a major international final, but it was a classic for fans who thought she might be finished.

Summary of Key Matches:

These matches showcase Liu Shiwen’s journey from teenage prodigy to one of China’s greatest table tennis players, highlighting her resilience, technical brilliance, and unwavering determination throughout a career that included 5 World Cup singles titles and 1 World Championships singles crown.